REYKJAVIK - Iceland's ruling center-right coalition on Wednesday decided to appoint Sigurdur Ingi Johannsson as new prime minister after its previous leader was forced to resign.

The coalition government, formed by the Progressive Party and the Independence Party, will remain in power until early general elections to be held in the autumn, Bjarni Benediktsson, chairman of the Independence Party, told reporters.

Johannsson, vice chairman of the Progressive Party and minister of fisheries and agriculture, is expected to seek approval from President Olafur Grimsson on Thursday.